Training camp is up and running in earnest. Coach Peter Laviolette is putting the squad through the paces, not taking his foot off the pedal. Thursday and Friday saw the media obtain quotes from two individuals whose stories dominated the offseason and will be a focus during the year. Each is a focus for their own reasons with little to no overlap.
Jacob Trouba may have come thisclose to being moved this offseason. Trades talks really never materialized due to the no-movement then 15-team, no-trade clause. Once that happened, the next focus became what would the dynamic be between Trouba and management as well as in the locker room. If you believe what you hear and what you read, it's much ado about nothing. If that surprises you, then you know little about how Trouba operates and how Laviolette and GM Chris Drury conduct their business. Inside the room, everyone is aware business is business. A collective order and structure was established when Trouba was named captain and what transpired was unlikely to be a wedge amongst the group. So far, that appears to be the case.
If you don't believe it, then Trouba and the team are doing a great job of pulling the wool over all of our eyes. I am sure there was some chafing and f-bombs dropped, despite knowing its business. But publicly, you will not see a crack in his veneer, nor will he air any dirty laundry publicly. In addition, if he struggles, this won't be the reason. If Trouba plays like he did prior to the broken ankle, the entire fanbase and team will be ecstatic, as he was solid and will be an expensive, but needed, third pair d-man, Granted, we may see TRouba back with K'Andre Miller but he should remain paired with Zac Jones.
"Not even a little bit," he said when asked if there were any hurt feelings. "I could care less."
"That's life, contracts, hockey, business – whatever you want to call it," he said. "I knew that was coming that summer. It's not by surprise. It was obviously something that was negotiated at the time. It's part of pro sports. I can get traded now. I know that. I knew that when I signed the contract. At this moment, I could get traded. So, it's no surprise or difference in how I act or approach things. A lot of people in the NHL can get traded at any time, and that's part of the business."
"I want to be here," he said, noting that he had "good communication with the organization throughout" the summer.
"I love living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everybody is now aware of."
"There's a lot of things that were said and snowballed," Trouba said. "You're going to have to figure out where they came from. If you find out, let me know. I'm excited to be here, happy to be back in the room with this group and this coaching staff. I think we have a great opportunity ahead of us this year."
"There’s no mending fences," he said. "I don't think there was any animosity throughout the whole thing."
Shesterkin answered honestly where he stands heading into the season, after which, he can become an unrestricted free agent. We may not like the response, but what he said was 100% on point. I was not expecting him to commit to only remaining with the Rangers, though he did say he hopes to stay. But like all athletes, he knows it's a business. His contract ask, or at least the reported ask, makes that crystal clear, as no hometown discount looks to be in the cards.
Vince Mercogliano wrote that the two sides are nowhere close at the moment, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, who spoke to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, on the condition of anonymity. The Rangers would like to keep the AAV as close to that $10.5 million figure as possible, especially as they anticipate new deals for ascending young players Alexis Lafrenière (impacted by all the signings this summer and recent one of Dylan Guenther getting $7 per for next 8 years) and Miller (who just saw Moritz Seider, who is a far better blueliner get eight years, $8.55 million, which might up his asking price) next summer. But it seems Shesterkin's camp is aiming significantly higher.
What's been reported is that Igor is likely seeking $12 million or more. Despite the expected rise in the cap over the next few years, I would be shocked if the Rangers hit that number, though they will need to up what has been rumored to be their top point. Somewhere in the $11-11.5 million range seems likely, and coming to an accord sooner rather than later to avoid the year-long questions and any ill-will would be advisable.
"I love the organization, I love the team, I love the fans," he said. "So, of course, it would be great to stay here, but you never know what can happen."
"I have one more year, so I don’t care about it," he said. "It’s work for my agent. I just want to be focused on my game and practice every day."
"Right now, we have a new season, and we need to talk about this time," he said. "I just want to be ready."
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